Weekly Signs Three To Class of 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly has announced the addition of three signees for the program's 2023 recruiting class. The newest Lady Vol trio includes top-rated shortstop Bella Faw and twin outfielders Alannah Leach and Gabby Leach.

"We are very excited to welcome these three young ladies to the Lady Vol Softball family," Weekly said. "They are all outstanding people, students and players who embody everything our program represents. Alannah, Gabby and Bella each possess a strong fundamental skill set and high softball IQ. They have prepared and played at a level which will allow them to be ready to compete when they arrive on campus in the fall of 2023."

Currently rated the No. 15 class in the country by Extra Inning Softball, each player is featured as a top-15 overall prospect on the Extra Elite 100 player rankings for the class of 2023. Faw was tabbed the No. 5 player in the country, while both Leach twins were tied at No. 12 on the list of talented prospects.

A detailed listing of Tennessee's 2023 signees, including high school and travel ball honors and notable achievements, can be viewed below. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee softball, follow @Vol_Softball on Twitter.

Bella Faw - NSD 2022

Bella Faw
Sugar Hill, Ga.
North Gwinnett HS / Atlanta Vipers 18U Gold (Tamborra)
Shortstop / 5-7 / R/R

Highly touted shortstop out of North Gwinnett High School who helped lead the Bulldogs to a 7A state championship in 2021
Rated as the No. 5 prospect in the country according to Extra Inning Softball
Selected to participate in the GACA Junior All-Star Game in 2021 and will compete in the Senior All-Star Game later this month
Owns the school record for hits at North Gwinnett High School and was a GACA All-State selection in 2021
Secured Region 7 Player of the Year honors as a senior and was tabbed Region 7 Defensive Player of the Year last fall
Plays travel ball for Atlanta Vipers 18U Gold (Tamborra) where she won the Triple Crown National Championship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2020
Traveled to Taiwan for a tournament with her club team and won a hitting award for her efforts on the diamond

Faw: "I love the environment of Tennessee; the people are great. I also love the campus and the town of Knoxville in general, and can't wait to get going on Rocky Top!"

Alannah Leach - NSD 2022

Alannah Leach
The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands HS / Texas Sudden Impact
Outfield / 5-6 / L/L

Two-time All-State outfielder for The Woodlands High School (Texas) who owns a .472 career batting average and .509 career on-base percentage
Rated as the No. 12 prospect in the country according to Extra Inning Softball
Picked up Texas All-State honors from the Texas Girls Coaches Association and Texas Sports Writers Association after her junior season in the spring of 2022
Also named second team All-State by the TSWA in 2021
Named Co-Offensive MVP on the 2022 All-Montgomery County Team and 13-6A All-District Team
Took home NFCA All-Region VI second team honors her junior year
Recognized as a three-time Academic All-District honoree from 2020-22
Younger sister of LVFLs Aubrey Leach (2016-19) and Kelcy Leach (2022)
Signs with the Lady Vols alongside her twin sister, Gabby Leach, becoming the fourth in her family to don the Orange & White
Plays travel ball for Texas Sudden Impact

Leach: "I chose to attend the University of Tennessee because I really like and respect the way the softball program is run and how the athletic department supports female athletes. I have followed the program over the years and attended many games since I was 10 and enjoyed the way the team plays. Along with an amazing coaching staff that truly cares about each and every player. Knoxville has always felt welcoming and I can't wait to truly call it home."

Gabby Leach - NSD 2022

Gabby Leach
The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands HS / Texas Sudden Impact
Outfield / 5-6 / L/L

Two-time All-State outfielder for The Woodlands High School (Texas) with a .400 career batting average, totaling 116 hits and nine home runs in three seasons
Rated as the No. 12 prospect in the country according to Extra Inning Softball
Named All-State honorable mention by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2021 and 2022
Tabbed to the All-Montgomery County Team in back-to-back years (2021-22)
As a sophomore in 2021, recognized as the 6A All-District Team Utility Player of the Year
Took home NFCA All-Region VI second team honors her junior year
Younger sister of LVFLs Aubrey Leach (2016-19) and Kelcy Leach (2022)
Signs with the Lady Vols alongside her twin sister, Alannah Leach, becoming the fourth in her family to don the Orange & White
Plays travel ball for Texas Sudden Impact, hitting .410 with a .480 on-base percentage and 21 steals this past summer in top events including PGF Nationals, Top Club Invite and the TCS 4th of July

Leach: "I chose The University of Tennessee because the atmosphere of Tennessee is incredible in all aspects and truly feels like home. They treat student-athletes with respect and support. The softball coaching staff is amazing and genuinely cares about their players. It's always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level and committing to Tennessee checked all those boxes."

University of Tennessee Athletics

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